WWII Thematic Unit Project

Interesting WWII links:

WWII Propaganda Poster Analysis

For the readings on WWII propaganda in posters, click here.For the Handout with the posters to be analyzed, (in black and white), click here. For sample posters and the handout with posters in color, click here.

Video: "Civilians at War"

Video: "Over the Edge" (The Century: America's Time) To watch it directly on YouTube in full screen, click here. If that link doesn't work, it's in 5 parts here.

"Civilians at War"film sheet:

"Civilians at War"

WWII Lecture

Lecture Title: "The US in World War II" -- This lecture is in several parts. Each part has a screencast video lecture. During each section there are video clips or segments that we watch. They are links below the lecture section that they belong to. Use the outline letters and numbers and titles to help you find where you left off. The lecture has been edited somewhat since the video versions were made, so it could be slightly different than in class. Scroll down for all the parts. There will be many other short videos interspersed between the sections.

WWII Lecture Part 1, Section 1

Lecture Title: "The US in World War II" -- This is Part 1, Section 1. The rest of the Part 1 lecture will be added as we do it in class. Please note that the video will look clear in the embedded format, but will appear blurry if you go to full screen. To watch a better quality full screen version, please click here.

​Film: Tragedy of Bataan

Film shown in class is about 25 minutes; this clip is just 15 minutes of it. Watch here and come in to finish the film or read about the events at the link below. Film is here. More about the events here. Film sheet is here.

The Bataan Death March

In class we watched a film called "The Tragedy of Bataan." The assignment was to take a half page of notes, focusing on information that was troubling, different, or shocking. Then students were to write a response to what they learned, about a paragraph. Write to express how you felt about learning about this atrocity, perhaps considering what it might have been like to live through it or to know that someone you were related to did. For those who missed the film, please go to the following links and read about the events of the Battle of Bataan and the Bataan Death March. Then do the same assignment.Bataan Death March links:Article with overview about the MarchOral History (quotes from men who experienced it) of the Death March

WWII Lecture, ContinuedWWII Lecture Part 1, Sections 2 and 3A1

This is a continuation of the WWII Part 1 Lecture. To watch a better quality full-screen version, click here.

D-Day Landings -- Operation OverlordBand of Brothers: "Day of Days" -- film segment -- episode 2 of series; depicts dropping of paratroopers into Normandy -- we saw the entire episode, but there are only segments available online. They are listed below.Links: ​Veterans speaking about it and the first few minutes is here.Paratroopers jumping into Normandy is here.First major battle, famous taking of guns at Brecourt Manor is here.

WWII Lecture Part 1, Sections 3A2 - 3B5 (the end of Part 1)

This is a continuation and end of the WWII Part 1 Lecture. To watch a better quality full-screen version, click here.

Band of Brothers Ep. 6 "Bastogne" and Ep. 7 "Breaking Point"

There are various links to short clips of this episode on YouTube that you can watch, but to make this up, you can also read a story of a tank crew who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. For the story, clickhere.

You can also use the PBS website from the series "American Experience: the Battle of the Bulge" to learn more about the battle and conditions. Clickhere.

The assignment: write a summary listing the experiences they had. Then write your response or reaction to those experiences. It should be at least one page longsingle-spaced. If you need both days, add 10 questions you’d like to ask the men in that tank crew. Write legibly!

The Pacific, Ep. 2 -- Guadalcanal (not used in 2015 or 2016)

To make this up, you can read a story of a Marine who fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal. For this story, clickhere.Scroll down past the picture of Midway Atoll and the Brewster Buffalo (plane). Read the Marine's account of the battle and take 10 bullet notes on his experiences. Write ten questions that you'd like to ask him if you could.

"The Pacific" Ep. 5 -- Peleliu (beach landing)

You can make this up by watching some of the story of Eugene Sledge in the documentary about him, called "Sledgehammer: Old Breed Marine." It's linkedhere.

Other Readings for making up "The Pacific" notes -- Links to Oral Histories

​1. Recollections of Captain Charles B. McVay, III, USN, Commanding Officer of USS Indianapolis (CA-35) which was sunk by Japanese submarine I-58 on 30 July 1045 near the Philippines. Click here.

2.Recollections of CAPT Ann Bernatitus, NC, USN, (Ret.), recounting her service in the Philippines including Bataan, evacuation from Corregidor on USSSpearfish (SS-190); and service on USS Relief (AH-1) during the Okinawa campaign and the return of American prisoners of war from Japanese-occupied China. Click here.

WWII Lecture Part 2 Sections 6F-7 (end)

Video: "The Fallen of World War II"

​To watch "The Fallen of WWII" click here. Then follow these instructions:Draw a line under the last note from the WWII lecture on the back of the purple packet. Under the line, do this:Write a response to the film. Explain how it made you feel, list questions that it made you ask, and describe what message or point you think the film was trying to make

Korematsu Supreme Court Case Readings

WWII Veteran (Guest Speaker) links

Click below to read a story or watch a video of WWII veterans who have been guest speakers to my classes. Use the Veteran Guest Speaker form to take notes or answer questions about what you learned from the reading or video. The form is here.

Bob Meyer, Army Air Corps, Glider Pilot

Video: "Valentía: Mexican Americans in WWII"

Video: "Home Front"

Video "Home Front" To watch it directly on YouTube in full screen, click here. Or click on the videos below to watch it here. It is in 3 parts. You can get the film sheet in class or download it from the link below.

"Home Front" film sheet

"Home Front" Part 1

"Home Front" Part 2

Click here to watch the video. Then draw a line under the last notes of your WWII packet notes and write a response to the video. What did you learn? How did it make you feel to see those numbers? What do you think of the message at the end of the film?